Serving the Lake Norman area with Integrity Since 1958

How Often Should My Septic Tank Be Pumped Out?

Just like regular maintenance on your vehicle extends the life of the engine, scheduled maintenance on your septic tank will prevent major damage to your septic system. Not only preventing expensive septic system repairs, including seized pumps, blocked drainlines, and clogged effluent filters, regular maintenance may also prevent costly back-ups that could create permanent damage.

If a septic tank is not pumped regularly, solids will eventually escape into the septic drainfield, causing the soil pores to get clogged. While pumping frequency is dependent upon the amount of use, Lentz Septic Tank Service recommends that residential systems be pumped at least once every three – five years if your home does not have a garbage disposal. If the home’s system has a garbage disposal, or if anyone in your household is on medication, it should be pumped every one – two years.

If you are a commercial septic system owner, you should determine how often to pump based on prior accumulation and pumping records. Often you can look at pumping intervals to gauge your pumping schedule. For example, did you wait too long before having your tank pumped last time, or could you have waited a little longer to pump?

An amazing number of system owners believe that if they aren’t having any problems with their system, the tank doesn’t need to be pumped out. This is a serious and sometimes costly misconception, as the septic system repair or replacement cost alone could be thousands of dollars. If you add the expense of replacing your landscaping, lawn, and wastewater damage inside your home, the price you could encounter for neglecting your system can get quite costly.

The purpose of a septic system is to store wastewater in a tank where the solids eventually form a sludge layer. As your system is used, solid materials settle to the bottom of the tank, forming a sludge layer. Grease and lightweight materials float to the surface of the septic tank as scum. The clear water near the center is released into the septic drainfield. Normally, properly designed tanks have enough space to efficiently store up to three to five years of accumulated sludge. When the sludge level increases beyond this point, sewage has less time to settle properly before leaving the tank. As the sludge level increases, more solid wastes escape into the soil absorption system (SAS). If the SAS becomes so clogged with this sludge that it can’t absorb liquid at the rate in which it enters the tank, the plumbing will backup or unsanitary wastewater will bubble up to the drains inside your home.

When hiring a pumper, be sure the company you choose is licensed, and always make sure you get a paid receipt from the pumper that spells out the details of the transaction (how many gallons were pumped out of the tank, the date, the charges, and any other pertinent results). Retain this receipt for your records, and make a note on your calendar to schedule another pumping in one – five years, depending upon your situation.
A reputable pumping service provider will pump both sides of the tank, making sure that all of the waste on both sides of the baffle are clean and completely empty.

– No Surprise Charges, EVER!

Lentz Septic Tank Service pumps septic tanks for a set price, based on the size of your tank. Our typical pumping service charge ranges between $280 – $350. Call our office for details at (704) 876-1834.

While our professional technicians have your septic tank open, they will check the basic function of the system, clean the filter, and advise you of any recommendations that will help your system operate more efficiently.

As a customer of Lentz Septic Tank Service, you will always receive an accurate, fair estimate before any work begins.

You will not encounter an extra charge for digging out tanks 24” deep or less. If your tank is deeper than 24 inches deep, we will advise you of the charge to dig it out, or give you the option of digging it on your own.

Our experienced technicians are usually able to locate the septic tank without much trouble. On the very rare occasion that we are not able to locate the tank, we will let you know the charge for locating the tank before we begin.

At Lentz Septic Tank Service, we believe that septic systems are designed to work efficiently for about three – five years of normal use. If you would like to extend the life of the system a little further without breaking the bank, we recommend Bio-Tab treatment added to your system. When you schedule you pumping appointment, let us know you would like to use these enzymes in your tank, and we will provide you with a discount for purchasing at the time of pumping.